Carbon Cycle Group

Overview

) and
nitrous oxide (N2O)
in the global atmosphere is a matter of concern not only to
scientists but also to politicians and the society. This increase
is caused to a large extent by man's activities, and may lead
to significant changes in climate on Earth.

The carbon cycle group at the Institute of Environmental Physics investigates the
bio–geochemical cycles of the greenhouse gases mentioned above as well as other
trace gases such as hydrogen (H2) and
carbon monoxide (CO)
with the ultimate aim to quantitatively understand their atmospheric budgets
We are measuring these trace gase mole fractions as well as their isotope
ratios (13C/12C,
14C/C
and 18O/16O in
CO2 as well as 13C/12C and 2H/H (D) in CH4) at a number of globally distributed sites in the atmosphere and close
to their sources. To derive exchange fluxes between the atmosphere and
other associated compartments (such as the terrestrial biosphere and the
oceans) and establish regional and global budgets of the respective gases
the observations are evaluated by means of atmospheric transport models
and by applying atmospheric transport tracers such as
sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and
222Radon.